Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Reubena Aryee. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Reubena , thanks for joining us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

One of the biggest risk I took was dropping out of college to pursue my dream of becoming a licensed esthetician. In December of 2022 was at the end of my first full semester at college. I was truly unhappy,stressed, and depressed. I thought going into college was the right thing to do because all my friends and classmates were going to college. But from a young age I always used to tell my mom I want to go to beauty school after high school. My original first love in beauty was hair, i was that little girl who always wanted to style my dolls hair or even sometimes I would cut their hair. As I grew older and watched my mom do her makeup everyday before taking me to school I fell in love with makeup. At a young age I realized makeup was a creative form of expression. Watching my mom use different color combinations for her eyeshadow looks ignited a passion for me to get creative. As a little girl if I got in trouble for anything it definitely had to be because I went to play in my mom’s makeup bag. No matter how many times she warned me not to touch her stuff I couldn’t resist at all. I wanted to get creative with the different colors and textures of the products. My favorite days was when my mom took me after-school to the beauty supply by my elementary school. She took me so often that as soon as we got in the workers knew us. By the age of 7 I knew her go to products and would just pick it out for her, but my favorite part of going shopping with her was convincing her to buy my a new makeup item. Because I was young the only thing she would buy me was lip gloss, through that I became obsessed/ addicted to lip gloss till this day I’m still obsessed with lip gloss ad my favorite makeup item. In all aspects of my life and career I’ve been fortunate to have a very supportive mom by my side. On January 8th 2023 a day before I was to go back to college for winter semester, I went out for some errands and for some alone time. While out and walking on Fordham road I decided to call my mom and update her on how my errands were going. I had been pondering silently in my mind for the past two weeks at that time on whether I wanted to continue my college career or take the risk and go to beauty school for esthetics. While on the phone with my mom I broke down and finally let her know how I had been feeling the past few weeks . Though she was disappointed in me not wanting to continue college, she was still supportive in what ever my next steps were. On January 9th 2023 I booked an appointment with my college counselor ms. Polanco after my classes that day and I broke the news that I wanted to leave. She assisted me in doing research about my esthetics program I wanted to attend and what I would need to do. The next day I called Brittany Beauty Academy and got registered for the next session which was starting in a week. I had mixed emotions leading up to my first day of classes, I was excited but very nervous because I kept wondering what if I made the wrong decision. Once classes started my mom realized I began radiating with joy and happiness! I was finally happy and doing what I had been passionate about all my life. The program started off with 2 and a half months of online classes and 2 and half months of in person training. When I completed my online training I was nervous Going into in person training but my amazing instructor ms. Alexis poured wisdom into me and always encouraged me. On my first day I was so nervous walking into the building. When I got there the first thing I did was say a prayer for God to guide me through the day and the rest of the journey in esthetic school. Once I got upstairs the first person I saw was khadija, she was apart of my cohort and we started classes at the same time. It was so comforting seeing a familiar face, we also instantly clicked and became friends. I chose to do the full-time program so that meant I was on a faster track or the program than the rest of my cohort. I got to meet my amazing in person instructor’s ms. Shanna and ms. D/Deserie. The day I got to do my first client facial was so nerve-wracking! My first client was my neighbor and family friend Ivette. Although I knew her and had done her makeup many times this was different and I’m so glad she trusted me. I was so nervous while doing it because I was being observed by ms.D since it was my first time. I’m glad I had the help and guidance of ms. D during my first service because it gave me confidence for the next services I offered. A day short of 6 months after having that heartfelt conversation with my mom while crying on Fordham road, I finally graduated from Brittany Beauty Academy on June 7th 2023! My journey to becoming licensed was a bit of a roller-coaster itself. There were many personal obstacles that I passed through before becoming licensed. Although I finished in June of 2023 I did not apply for my test until April 2024. I took my written test first on April 22nd 2024 and passed on the first try and I did my practical exam on May 10th 2024 and also passed on the first try! I was so nervous Going into my practical because I had not slept the night before so I was a bit jittery. The day I got the email about the results I was so nervous to open it. I went to the living room with my mom and I logged into the website and opened the results and I had passed! We screamed so much and I cried a little because it had been such an intense and bitter sweet journey that all started with taking a risk. Taking the risk of leaving college and going to become a esthetician was a huge risk but it brought me many new connections and joy I wouldn’t trade for anything.

Reubena , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

First of all introduction!! My name is Reubena Aryee, I am a Ghanaian American 20 year old professional makeup artist and licensed esthetician born and raised in The Bronx. I went to private school all my life. I graduated from the academy of mount st Ursula in 2022. I graduated as the president of fashion club, I participated in United nations connections club, and also amsu vocalist/ performance choir. I also was of member of theater and performing arts club as a makeup artist and costume supervisor. In my freshman and sophomore year I participated in a program in collaboration with cardinal Hayes school, for exceptional people. We worked with special needs adults as community service. We would have Sunday mass, breakfast, arts and crafts activities, and also physical activities. I had the amazing opportunity to be a student supervisor and trainer in the program after some months. Being apart of that program shaped my perspective about how special needs people are perceived in the world. The clients I worked with in the program will forever have a special place in heart. Many times people are not very fond of being around special needs people but at the end of the day they are still God’s creation just like everyone else he just added extra finishing touches to them. Because of the communication skills I learned from the program I am able to relate and converse when I meet new people. Being able to converse helped me when I began my makeup artistry brand Slayed by bena Artistry in August 2019. My first official booking was the sweet 16 court for my elementary school bestie Angelica. There was 6 girls including myself and I did all our makeup. For my first time I believe I did an amazing job because there was a lot of pressure. I charged $15 per person which was crazy but I have a discount because of the birthday girl. Although stressful it was a fun experience with the girls. My next clients for the year was my Grandmothers two youngest sisters birthday glams. In 2020 I took the lockdown to really practice and get educated on different techniques from Muas I looked up to. I mainly watched makeup artist in the new york/new jersey area as that was the style I wanted to replicate at the time. My mom also helped support my brand by buying and helping me build my makeup kit. My first photoshoot was a sweet 16 birthday shoot for a childhood friend, her them was barbie and I created a custom mixed glitter for her look and she loved it. 2021 was the year where I feel like my business really took off. My work had improved drastically and people began taking me seriously and I was being booked. One of my biggest accomplishment that year was doing a 9 people sweet 16 party glam in 5 hours all by myself. Fast forward to present day in 2024 I’ve accomplished and worked on many creative projects like 3 editorial photoshoots,two music videos and even worked on a podcast.

Currently my most requested service is my LUXE GLAM package. It’s a travel service for special event clients. For example many of my clients who book this service are celebrating things like 50th Birthday,60th birthday, and retirement parties, baby naming ceremonies and more. I started offering this service last year after glamming one of my aunties for her 50th Birthday. Many people who saw her makeup couldn’t believe her age! Almost all my special event clients do not look their age at all due to my unique technique. It brings me joy when my clients are happy and satisfied with their services, one common thing I hear from clients is that I actually listened to their needs and executed the look how they imagined. I take Pride in my clients leaving satisfied but my favorite compliment from clients is how long their makeup lasted. I’ve had a client wear their makeup for 2 days without it budging!

Something I want new/potential clients to know is that I am here to create the prefect and long lasting glam for them. When you book Slayed by bena artistry you are booking a unique glam experience. I always makeup sure to guide my clients through the glam process. For my LUXE SLAY/ SLAYED BRIDAL clients when booking Slayed by bena for your special day be rest assured you are in good hands. From the first call to makeup preview to your event day I’m here to assist you with any questions, vendor suggestions or concerns I’m always ready to help and be of service to my clients. One important thing I took away from my time in Amsu was how important serviam is in life. Serviam means I will serve in Latin, it is the ursline school moto. Since graduating Amsu I still make serving others a huge part of my life, especially through my business. For every special event client I always make sure to do check ins along the way and as a women of faith I also make sure to pray for my clients. Many times when in preparation for an event at a point it starts to feel like things are going wrong but that’s the time I remember and lift my client and other vendors working their event up in prayer.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

My best source of gaining new clients has been referrals and word of mouth. Many of my clients have been referred by other former client’s.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

I keep in touch with clients by checking in on them and how they are doing occasionally and I foster brand loyalty by giving returning clients offers and discounts occasionally.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slayedbybena/profilecard/?igsh=dmE4cTlmZHg0dGg2
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@slayedbybena?_t=8rMb85PKgNa&_r=1

Image Credits

B 127 Afroprime studio( Victor Nkama)

Reubena aryee